Table top



March 11, 1930. c, BAILEY 1,749,750

I TABLE TOP Filed Nov. 16, 1925 In ventor Eon/0rd flail ey patented Mar. Ill 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOWARD C. BAILEY, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGI'F MENTS, TO RICHARD W. TULL, F FANWOOD, NEW JERSEY TABLE TOP Application filed November 16, 1925. Serial No.'69,354.

This invention particularly pertains to a table which is especially adapted for use in cafeterias, self-serving restaurants, lunch rooms and the like, where it is customary for the patrons to carry their purchases to tables on trays, and has as its primary object the provision of a table which is so formed as to compel a diner to employ a predetermined portion of the table top area andthereby avoiding encroachment upon table space allotted to other diners occupying the same table; in other words, necessitating a diner placing his table ware within a confined or a predetermined area or space.

A further object is to provide a table in which the top structure is of open construction, and the table top surface proper formed by placing a removable tray thereon whereby the use of a tray as a support for table ware is necessitated, and the transfer by the customer of his purchases from his tray to the table prevented, thereby obviating the accumulation of dishes, silver ware and the like, on the table top and facilitating removal thereof.

tages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides generally in forming a table top member of open construction and in the provision of a tray of such size and configuration that it will occupy only a certain portion of the table top, and in fitting the table top frame with a means for supporting a plurality of such trays together with means for holding the trays against lateral displacement or possible tipping.

The invention further resides in the parts, and in the construction, combination and ar rangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by way of example, in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a table top shkolwing the invention as applied to a circular ta c;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a tray adafioted to be employed with the table shown 1n 1g. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a table top as equipped with a plurality of trays, portions being broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail and vertical section as seen on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the manner in which the trays are supported onthe table top and maintained in allotted places thereon;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the application of the invention to a rectangular table top.

Referring to the drawings more specifically, 6 indicates generally a table top structure or frame which embodies a marginal rim portion 7 and a series of spaced slats 8 extending interiorly of the rim 7 and arranged to form supports for demountable trays 9. In the application of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the rim 7 is of annular form and the slats 8 project interiorly from its inner periphery radially thereof, while in the form shown in Fig. 5 the rim 7 is of rectangular shape with the slats 8 extending parallel to each other. The table top structure is thus formed of open frame construction, of such character as to preclude placing of table ware, such as dishes, silver ware, etc thereon.

In carrying out the invention the table table structure may be formed of any de- 86 sired shape and may be made 'of any suitable material, and it may be supported in any appropriate fashion.

Thetrays 9 are formed of such size and shape that a plurality of the trays arranged side by side and resting on the table top frame structure 6, will substantially cover the structure and form the top surface thereof, and are so proportioned relative to the area and the space bounded by the rim 7 that 9 only a definite number of the trays may be placed upon the table top structure at any one time. In the case of the table top structure being of circular formation the trays 9 are formed of generally segmental form as 1 Fig. 5, the trays 9 will be of general rectangular shape with their side or rear margins formed with upturned flanges.

As a means for afiording an allotted space on the table top structure to receive a tray,

upstanding capped pins 11 are provided on certain of the slats 8'to project alongside the side margins of a tray, asparticularly shown in Fig. l, to limit transverse or lateral shifting of a tray positioned on the table top structure between a set of pins. These capped pins in addition serve as guides to "facilitate positioning of the trays on the table top structure and provide project-ions which willinsure disposing the trays in their proper positions as they would act to tilta tray in event the latter be disposed to. rest on the pins. The extension heads or caps on pins prevent possible tipping of the tray forward when heavy pressure is applied to the outside edge thereof. These anti-tippingdevicesare adapted to engage contiguous trays, when thelatter are seated on the table.

It will now be seen that by reason of the openings provided in the table top structure between the spaced slats 8, it. cannot be used to support table ware unless the latter is first placed upon a tray, thus compelling the diner to keep his table ware within the confines of his tray and within a definite portion of the table top structure and serves to facilitate,

removal of the used table ware, as the table may be cleared by merely removing the tray with its contents. The use of the invention also obviatesthe cleaning off'the table after it is used by a diner; and on removal of a tray with its contents, insures a clean andginviting place for asucceeding diner toidispose of'his tray.

able shape in outline to adaptthem to the spaces or divisions provided on the table top structure to receive them, and accordingly, the foregoing description is to be considered as explanatory and notin any limiting sense.

What I- claim and desire to ters Patent is z 1. A. table top comprising a plurality of trays each having an upstanding marginal flange andla body having plane upper and lower faces, a support, for the table top, constructed of openwork, and devices upstand-' secure by Leting from the openwork for dividing its area 7 to receive onlya predetermined number of the trays of the table top, there being an unobstructed space above said trays when they are supported upon said table top to adapt the table for diners use.

2. A rigid table top provided with s a tures of sufiicient sizeto preclude supporting table ware directly thereon, said apertures not being of sufficient size to preclude support of eating trays, and a plurality of eating trays-adapted-to be supported on said table top, there being an unobstructed space above said trays when the latter are in the place to permit usethereof for eating purposes, portions ofthe table top between said apertures being adapted safely to support and prevent lateral movement of contiguous trays.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature.

HOWARD C. BAILEY.

" It will be understood that in the use of the v invention the table top structure is normally trayless, the trays being supplied the customer with his order and then carried to-the table and'placed thereon to be afterward removed With its contents to place the table in readiness for use by a succeedingdiner.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do shelf or table, and the trays formed'of suit its 

